Intolerance central
Sinamahan ko si Mama kanina sa New Era University. Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang ganda at linis ng unibersidad ng mga Iglesia, napaisip ako. Sa dinamirami ng taga-Iglesia at iba pang mga fundamentalist Christians, mga sarado at hipokritong Katoliko dito sa Pilipinas, sa tingin ko hindi ko maitutuloy ang dati kong pangarap tumakbo sa pagka-presidente ng bansang ito. Magkakatalunan lang kami on ‘moral’ issues. Never mind if I would have had excellent credentials or if I would have offered a sound economic and nationalistic platform. I definitely wouldn’t get their votes. Not when I have nothing against legalizing such things as regulated prostitution, recreational drug-use, artificial contraceptives or homosexual unions. It really ticks me off when I debate with someone and he/she begins drawing references from the Bible or religious and moralistic traditions. I really hate how many organized religions in this country take the government hostage and force them to implement policies based on their moral beliefs. There are times I wish I was European. You may call some of them ‘immoral’ but they appear so much better off than us. Don’t get me wrong, I am personally more traditional and Catholic than you think. But see, it’s just that, a personal matter and choice. Others should be entitled to their own choices of lifestyle too. I may not agree with their choices, but it shouldn’t be my business as long as they’re not doing me or other people any harm.
[Post-Script: Oct. 9, 2004, 20:20] Here’s something from US Sen. John Kerry from the US presidential debate this morning (Philippine time).
I’m a Catholic, raised a Catholic. I was an altar boy. Religion has been a huge part of my life. It helped lead me through a war, leads me today.
But I can’t take what is an article of faith for me and legislate it for someone who doesn’t share that article of faith, whether they be agnostic, atheist, Jew, Protestant, whatever. I can’t do that.
all i can say is: I FEEL YOU! religious hypocrisy. GRRR!
nothing related, just dropped by to say that i’ve changed my url to melontayo.blogdrive.com
actually, iglesia ako. practicing, yes. my lolo was one of the first few ministers. all my cousins are active in the church, new era univ. grads. ako lang hinde, saka kuya ko. so, yeah, i grew up with this strong relgious conviction. and honestly, now that im in UP, sometimes i just cant help to feel the same way youre feeling. i dont like it that we use (hey, some catholics do this too) religion as a basis for anything. pero i wouldnt convert to any religion in the future.
right to the point bikoy! i agree with you. i too don’t like it when people force their opinions on me. and i too don’t like people questioning other people’s morals as we all have different beliefs and backgrounds.
anyway, i hope you won’t lose hope on your dream of becoming president.
btw, nice new pic up there bikoy!